Obesity in primary school leavers has risen since last year

New figures show that more than a third of children in their last year of primary school are now obese or overweight, despite the best efforts of government campaigns like Change4Life.

Government Change4Life campaign

The National Child Measurement Programme measures the height and weight of more than one million children in England each year.

The most recent figures from the 2011/12 school year showed that 22.6 per cent of children in reception were either overweight or obese. This proportion rose to 33.9 per cent of children in year six.

This is a small increase on school year 2010/11, when 33.4 per cent of year 6 pupils were found to be obese or overweight.

British Heart Foundation Senior Cardiac Nurse, Amy Thompson, said: “The sad fact is that a third of 10 and 11 year olds are now overweight or obese.

"Unfortunately this is not just ‘puppy fat’ that will be left behind as they grow up - we know that obese children are more likely to become obese adults.

“Excess weight carries severe risks for future heart health and overweight people are more at risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes."

Public health minister Anna Soubry said: "As part of Change4Life, we have run a number of initiatives to get children up and active, and in the New Year we will be launching a new campaign to encourage healthy eating."

Some private health insurance providers offer incentives to help their customers live a healthy lifestyle. This may include discounted gym memberships and rewards for buying fruit and vegetables.

Obesity in primary school leavers has risen since last yearNew figures show that more than a third of children in their last year of primary school are now obese or overweight, despite the best efforFollow @activequote

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